Improvement in paper-file boxes



UNITED STATES PATENT Orrroac JOHN H. BENTLEY, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-FILE BOXES.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,653, dated June -10, 1873; application led` April 21, 1873.

ication The object of my invention is to produce a cheap, simple, and convenient lne-ans of enlarging a box for papers on file in such manner as to allow any paper in such box to be seen instantly, and removed therefrom without disturbing or disarranging any ot' the others, and, when such paper has been removed, admit of the remaining ones being instantly compressed into as small and compact space as before. By means of my invention the old method of bending the papers apart to take one out is entirely obviated, thus saving the great wear and tear of papers by bending them apart and forcibly taking out a paper from a tightly-iilled box. This style of box is more especially designed for the filing and preserving of mortgages and deeds, or similar papers, which are constantly being searched, thus saving in time and labor, and preventing the papers, from being injured 5 and it consists in constructing one end of the box separate, and connectingjt at the bottom line with a hinge-like joint, so that the end may move outward at its top, forming an angle with the line of its perpendicular position, such end being provided with triangular wing pieces, which close the openings formed by moving the end outward, and slide inside the box when the sameis closed. Their lower edge resting upon the bottom of the box prevents the further movement of the endin this direction. A small bent wire is connected to to the upper edge ofthe end piece, having its ends bent in a right angle thereto and parallel with eachother, being curved downward on an arc corresponding to that through which the top of the end moves, the ends of this wire being bent so as to form catches which engage with` some .suitable means when the box end is closed, and come in contact with suitable stops when the same is opened, as desired. I incase the ends of this wire upon the outsides of the main box near its upper edge, allowing it to pass through such cases freely when the catches are disengaged by being raised by the fingers, thus permitting the end to be moved-outward, as described, whenever desired.

Figure l is a perspective view of my invention when in a closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view when the end is inclined outward, allowing the contents to assume afanlike position, part of the case being broken away to show the wire and catch.

A is the box, which may be constructed of tin. B is the movable end, hinged at the bottom C. At the top of this end piece commences two triangular wing pieces, D D, terminating at the bottom in a point. E is a bent wire attached to the top of the movable end B permanently,its ends H H being bent so as to `form catches P P, which engage with ends of cases'T T', as shown in Fig. 1, and upon the end'of the perpendicular wire in the edge of the side of the box when open, as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus-described my invention, what I claim is In combination with the paper-file box A, with hinged end B,wing pieces D D', the bent wire E, its ends terminating in curved arms H H with catches P P', and operating in conjunction with cases T T, when constructed, combined, and` arranged to operate substantially in the manner described, as and for the purposes set forth. r

JOHN H. BENTLEY.

Witnesses SYLvENUs WALKER, SAML. R. McCaEAnY. 

